Also called by many as ëred teaí, the Chinese black tea has been enjoyed by the Chinese tea drinkers and the world for centuries. Its popularity is even soaring these days and I guess the primary reason for that is many believe that the Chinese black teas harbor profound and promising health benefits.
Chinese Black Tea Basics
As the name implies, the Chinese black tea originates in China and has long been used by the Chinese as part of their daily meals.
The brewed black tea ranges from reddish brown to black in color. According to some resources, one of the most obvious characteristic of the Chinese black tea is that it mellows with age and grows richer and deeper in flavor. The vintage black teas in particular are deemed superlative, boasting flavors and aromas that conjure up the same adjectives used to distinguish fine wine or whiskey.
Storing Chinese black tea is simple. It is usually kept in a well-ventilated place and the tea requires no temperature regulation. Also, unlike the other teas, Chinese black teas come in compressed cakes with a variety o shapes and sizes. It could be round, square, and even bamboo-like tubes.
Types of Chinese Black Tea
According to different processing methods, Chinese black tea can be divided into three different types:
1.Souchong Black Tea ñ This is a unique type of black tea that grows at the Wuyi Mountain City in Fujian province. According to some experts, the pine-smoking fragrance of Souchong black tea is much different from any other black teas in the world. And, according to different producing area, this variety can be classified into four types:
ï Tongmuguan Souchong which is produced in Tongmuguan county
ï Lapsang Souchong, produced in ChongíAn, Jianyang, Guangzhe
ï XingChun Souchong, produced in other areas which around Xingcun town of ChongíAn county
ï Smoking Souchong, which is not from Wuyi Mountain City
Of these mentioned subclasses, the Lapsang Souchong is considered the best, offering longan flavor. The Smoking Souchong, on the other hand, is made from low grade congou back tea and is processed by imitational method as other Souchong black teas. Also, the smoking fragrance of this type is exactly coming from the burning brushwood of pine plant.
2. Congou Black Tea ñ This Chinese black tea type evolved from the Souchong variety. The most famous congou Chinese black teas include the Qihong of Anhui (Keemun black), Dianhong of Yunnan, Suhong of Jiangsu, Chuanhong of Sichuan and Huhong of Hunan.
3. Broken Black Tea ñ Finally, this type is also called ìgraded black teaî for the reason that there is international uniform grading standard for this type of Chinese black tea. Well, according to different shapes, the broken black tea us classified into four subtypes: the whole leaf black, with short strip shape; broken leaf black, with small grain shape; fannings black, with small slice shape; and dust black, with powdered shape.
It is interesting to know that the origin of Chinese black tea is ChongíAn, Fujian. This place is actually the city of the Wuyi Mountain today. In souchong black tea was firstly manufactured in the Wuyi Mountain in the last of 18th century. Following that, the congou black tea came to life. Since then, the manufacturing technique of black tea was brought to Jiangsi province, then to Keemun.
Showing posts with label china. Show all posts
Showing posts with label china. Show all posts
Sunday, 1 April 2018
Wednesday, 21 March 2018
Black Tea: When Are The Best Pluckings?
Black tea has become a worldwide phenomenon. In cafes and coffeehouses, teahouses and trendy bistros, black tea has become a favorite beverage of tea drinkers around the globe. The uniqueness of black tea lies in the processingóa procedure that helps to give the beverage its magnificent flavor and consistency.
Black tea, like green tea and specialty white tea, is derived from the Camellia Sinensis plant. The primary difference between black tea and green tea lies in its fermentation. Through the fermentation procedure, tea leaves take on a red color, then turn black after they have been dried. In sharp contrast, green tea does not undergo fermentation, but instead is heat-treated, enabling it to maintain its distinctive green coloring.
At this point, itís unclear why fermentation was begun. Perhaps it was created in order to preserve tea for substantial lengths of time. In any case, fermentation helps to give black tea its unique taste. Because of the variety of ways you can serve black tea, it is often highly favored over other forms of tea.
Black teas are generally classified according to their grading. For instance, Pekoe is a black tea that is derived from medium plucking of the second leaf of the tea bush. The term ìPekoeî comes from the Chinese word meaning ìwhite hair.î The terminology refers to early pluckings, which evidence traces of white down. Meanwhile, Broken Orange Pekoe is a smaller leaf tea that has broken segments but a number of tips. In contrast, Broken Pekoe consists of broken portions of a coarse leaf sans tips.
Fannings consist of small grainy leaf particles which have been taken out of higher grade teas. In contrast, Flowery Orange Pekoe may consist of a whole leaf or broken leaf with a great deal of tip, causing it to have a particularly fine quality. Meanwhile, Flowery Pekoe is a black tea with a whole leaf that has been rolled lengthwise, while Orange Pekoe has a leaf ranging in size from eight to 15 millimeters with only a few tips.
The term ìdustî refers to the smallest particle leaf size which is customarily utilized for tea bag teas. This is because they tend to reach full flavor and strength quite quickly. In order to be prepared for market, the graded tea leaf is placed into plywood chests which have been lined with aluminum paper.
Black tea may also be specially flavored or scented. These teas are often produced from standard-grade teas that have been accented with flowers, flavored oils, or flavored crystals. Interestingly enough, there can be incredible differences in teas according to the quality and the flavoring. Typically, teas that are derived from natural flavoring techniques create the most flavorful teas. some teas are so aromatic that they are reminiscent of perfume.
While the timing of pluckings can make a difference in terms of a teaís consistency, it is the region in which it is harvested that often makes the biggest impact. For instance, Assam tea is grown in a region in northern India and is known for its full-bodied strength. Darjeeling, in northeast India, produces whatís often known as the champagne of teas. These teas are legendary for their scent and light flavoring.
Darjeeling tea can actually come in a variety of flavors, including flowery and nutty. Meanwhile, Keemum from China and Taiwan is frequently called the burgundy of teas, thanks to its sweet, rich, fruity flavor.
Lapsang Souchong, also from China and Taiwan, is known for its smokinessóa smokiness which comes from drying the tea leaves over a fire. It is often referred to as an evening tea because it tends to be low in caffeine. Meanwhile, Yunnan, derived from Chinaís Yunnan province, is full-bodied and slightly peppery in nature.
You may be curious about the differences between black tea and green tea. Both types of tea can have significant therapeutic benefits, but green tea is the older of the two and tends to have less caffeine. As a result, green tea might be considered generally more soothing than black tea, although there are varieties of black tea that are known for calming nerves.
Pluckings are only part of the story, when it comes to evaluating the merits of tea. However, early pluckings can be indicative of a superior variety. The more you drink black tea, the more youíll come to appreciate its unique qualities. It is a beverage that can really grow on you and, with so many varieties to choose from, you may find that youíll never get bored with it.
A growing body of research indicating its health benefits is also a key selling point. As a result, chances are good that black tea will continue to grow in popularity in the years ahead in localities around the globe.
Black tea, like green tea and specialty white tea, is derived from the Camellia Sinensis plant. The primary difference between black tea and green tea lies in its fermentation. Through the fermentation procedure, tea leaves take on a red color, then turn black after they have been dried. In sharp contrast, green tea does not undergo fermentation, but instead is heat-treated, enabling it to maintain its distinctive green coloring.
At this point, itís unclear why fermentation was begun. Perhaps it was created in order to preserve tea for substantial lengths of time. In any case, fermentation helps to give black tea its unique taste. Because of the variety of ways you can serve black tea, it is often highly favored over other forms of tea.
Black teas are generally classified according to their grading. For instance, Pekoe is a black tea that is derived from medium plucking of the second leaf of the tea bush. The term ìPekoeî comes from the Chinese word meaning ìwhite hair.î The terminology refers to early pluckings, which evidence traces of white down. Meanwhile, Broken Orange Pekoe is a smaller leaf tea that has broken segments but a number of tips. In contrast, Broken Pekoe consists of broken portions of a coarse leaf sans tips.
Fannings consist of small grainy leaf particles which have been taken out of higher grade teas. In contrast, Flowery Orange Pekoe may consist of a whole leaf or broken leaf with a great deal of tip, causing it to have a particularly fine quality. Meanwhile, Flowery Pekoe is a black tea with a whole leaf that has been rolled lengthwise, while Orange Pekoe has a leaf ranging in size from eight to 15 millimeters with only a few tips.
The term ìdustî refers to the smallest particle leaf size which is customarily utilized for tea bag teas. This is because they tend to reach full flavor and strength quite quickly. In order to be prepared for market, the graded tea leaf is placed into plywood chests which have been lined with aluminum paper.
Black tea may also be specially flavored or scented. These teas are often produced from standard-grade teas that have been accented with flowers, flavored oils, or flavored crystals. Interestingly enough, there can be incredible differences in teas according to the quality and the flavoring. Typically, teas that are derived from natural flavoring techniques create the most flavorful teas. some teas are so aromatic that they are reminiscent of perfume.
While the timing of pluckings can make a difference in terms of a teaís consistency, it is the region in which it is harvested that often makes the biggest impact. For instance, Assam tea is grown in a region in northern India and is known for its full-bodied strength. Darjeeling, in northeast India, produces whatís often known as the champagne of teas. These teas are legendary for their scent and light flavoring.
Darjeeling tea can actually come in a variety of flavors, including flowery and nutty. Meanwhile, Keemum from China and Taiwan is frequently called the burgundy of teas, thanks to its sweet, rich, fruity flavor.
Lapsang Souchong, also from China and Taiwan, is known for its smokinessóa smokiness which comes from drying the tea leaves over a fire. It is often referred to as an evening tea because it tends to be low in caffeine. Meanwhile, Yunnan, derived from Chinaís Yunnan province, is full-bodied and slightly peppery in nature.
You may be curious about the differences between black tea and green tea. Both types of tea can have significant therapeutic benefits, but green tea is the older of the two and tends to have less caffeine. As a result, green tea might be considered generally more soothing than black tea, although there are varieties of black tea that are known for calming nerves.
Pluckings are only part of the story, when it comes to evaluating the merits of tea. However, early pluckings can be indicative of a superior variety. The more you drink black tea, the more youíll come to appreciate its unique qualities. It is a beverage that can really grow on you and, with so many varieties to choose from, you may find that youíll never get bored with it.
A growing body of research indicating its health benefits is also a key selling point. As a result, chances are good that black tea will continue to grow in popularity in the years ahead in localities around the globe.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)